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Thursday 18 May 2023

Khan Market and its Cafes



It has been more than three years. Almost three and half years. Three years and five months to be exact.  

That was when I was last in this city. 

 

I am at a not-so-pleasant time of the year in Delhi. It’s hot. Like really, really hot. I looked at my watch just now and damn, it’s 39 degrees! Celsius, of course. I am still not that great with getting the Fahrenheit measurements. But well, as all the intellectual kinds love to say, I am a work in progress. 

 

Yeah. Haha. Go on. Laugh at calling myself an ‘intellectual kind’. 

 

That’s kind of amusing, albeit in a cringy way. Isn’t it? 

 

But well, humour’s humour. 

 

Alright. Back to the subject at hand.  

 

Khan Market and its Cafes. 

 

Back in 2018, I was in a very different position in life. You know, still getting to learn the etiquette of a big city like Delhi. Trying my best to be a part of the crowd. The kind of stuff that I guess every early 20-year-old tries to do in this city. Or any big city for that matter.

 

Now, right now, it all has changed. I mean, c’mon, we went through a shit ton of stuff in the past three years (three years and five months precisely). 

 

I can go on and on and on about all the stuff of the past. But I won’t. All I care about at this very moment is, how therapeutic it feels. To be inside one of the coziest cafes I have ever been to, the air conditioner blowing cool air on my face, when it is 40 degrees Celsius out there, even at 6:30 in the evening. 

 

I wasn’t a regular at Khan Market cafes back when I used to reside in this city. But I had been here a couple of times. Today, however, I am having a very particular drink; an iced mocha. And it’s good! 

 

Oh, did I mention the café’s name? it’s Blue Tokai. 

 

It’s nice, small, and cozy. A few couples occupy various tables, which is a usual scenario here. The waiters are very humble. Like, they know that you want to have some of your time, writing some stuff on your laptop peacefully. I put in my order – an iced mocha, and an almond cookie. 

 

It’s good. Man, it’s good. The mocha is good. It’s very refreshing. I kind of loved it. 

 

It’s 7 ‘o’clock now and I am thinking to order something else. My mocha is almost finished. What should I get? Any recommendations? 

 

So far so good. I mean, I can write on and on and on about each minute thing I find here. And sure, why not? 

 

It’s a culture. I have felt the same thing in Downtown Toronto as well. More than the foods and drinks and laughter and fresh brew fragrance, it’s about the culture. You come to this kind of café to do what you love to do. Some read books, some listen to music, and some, like me, write on cafes while listening to the 90s Bollywood songs. 

 

“Saat samandar paar main tere peeche peeche aa gayi.” 

 

I would have loved to bring my harmonica and play some music here. But that might have been a bit overkill. 

 

Maybe people would’ve liked it. Maybe they wouldn’t have. 


Another iced mocha, accompanied by a chocolate chip cookie this time, has been served. I, My friend, shall bid you adieu and enjoy my beverage at this cozy, little, and peaceful cafe at Khan Market. 


:)